Apparatus for closure assembly



Jan. 19, 1937. s H I 2,068,455

APPARATUS FOR CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Filed May 18., L935 3 SI 1ee ts-Sheet 1Jab. 19, 1937. D. s. HOLT 2,068,455

APPARATUS FOR CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Filed May 1 8, 19:53 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Jan; 19, 1937. s LT 2,068,455

APPARATUS FOR CLOSURE, ASSEMBLY Filed May 18, 1933 3 sheetg sheet 3Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE strong Cork Company,ration of Pennsylvania Lancaster, Pa., a corpo-' Application May 18,1933, Serial No. 671,636

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a mechanism for insertingrods and similarfusible members in bottle closures and more particularly for insertinglass applicator rods into molded bottle closures such as Bakelite capsor the like in which the glass rod is heated adjacent the end to beinserted in the closure and upon fusion placed in an opening provided inthe closure and pressed therein until the glass rod has cooledsufllciently to harden.

Glass rods have been, inserted in bottle closures for sometime and havebeen held in position by means of adhesive. Such closures are unsightlyand the adhesive is not particularly suited for certain materials whichare bottled and which come into contact with the rodand closure. Theglass rods have been inserted heretofore by hand due to the nature ofthe adhesive employed and the assembling operation has been expensiveand slow.

According to my invention a machine is provided which is substantiallycompletely automatic in operation, produces a highly satisfactory 010-sure unit and is adapted for production operation. It is an object of myinvention to provide a mechanism which will operate upon applicator rodsof various sizesand will insert them into caps which may. be ofdifferent peripheral contour and size. It is a further object of myinvention to provide a machine which is readily adjustable so that shortruns may be economically carried out on a single machine.

In order that my invention may be more readily understood, I willdescribe the same in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure l is a top plan view of my machine with certain parts broken awayfor clarity of 4 illustration; 0 Figure 2 is asectional view taken alongthe line 11-11 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is" an isometric view illustrating the rod moving cam;

ing and lowering track;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of one of the rod Figure 6 is a viewsimilarto Figure 5 illustrating .a preferred mechanism for removing com-:pleted closures from the machine;

l lgurev'is a detail-isometric view of the rod holding mechanism; and

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the unit raise Figure 8 is an isometricview of a completed closure with applicator rod in position therein.

My machine comprises a-supporting table 2 secured to a sleeve' 3 bymeans of a set screw 4. The sleeve 3 rotates about a stationary shaft 5and is driven by a suitable gearing mechanism indicated generally at 6.'A plurality of the rod holding and moving mechanisms illustrated inFigures 2 and 5 are secured to the table and comprise a supporting plate1 provided with openings through which passes a rod. Adjustably'securedto the rod 8 by means of a locking collar 9 is a resilient finger Inwhich serves to hold an applicator rod against the bracket ll.

Tension is placed on the spring 10 by moving the collar 9 toward thebracket H. Adjustably secured to the'rod 8 is a cam folldwer I2 adaptedto contact with the surface of the cam l3 (illustrated in Figure 3)which is adjustably secured to the stationary shaft 5. The follower I2is provided with a drilled opening adapted to encircle the rod 8 and isslotted and provided with an adjusting screw it which is employed tosecurely position the follower on the rod 8 after proper adjustment ishad. A counterweight I5 is also adiustably secured to the shaft 8 bymeans of a drilled and slotted opening similar to that employed on thecam follower.

In operating the machine, a glass applicator rod is inserted into ,theholding bracket H and is resiliently .held' in' position by means of theholding finger ill. The end of the rod is heat-v ed in order to fuse thesame and in my preferred embodiment I provide a gas flame to accomplish'this fusing. The gas supplying mechanism comprises a source of gassupply l6 which is carried by a pipe I! into a tank l8. The tank isprovided with an opening through which the sleeve 3 passes. The tankis,,held stationary by means of brackets secured to the frame of themachine. This tank is substantially completely filled with water W. Thesupply pipe l1 extends above. the surface level of the water andprojects into an inverted tank 20 which is secured to the sleeve 3 bymeans of brackets 2|. This tank extends below the surface of the water Win the tank l8 and provides an eifective gas seal. The tank 20 rotateswith the sleeve whereby a continuous supply of gas is fed to the burners22 which are attached to the top of the tank 20 and are held in positionunder the table by means of angles 23. The table is provided with ,apluraliity :of openings 24 through which the gas flames pass.

In order to insure that only the tip of the glass rod will be exposed tothe flame, I provide an adjusting device which is illustrated in Figures5 and 5b.' This adjusting mechanism comprises essentially a plunger 25passing through an opening in the table 2 and through a similar openingin the supportingbracket 26. A stop 21 is provided on the plunger 25which stop engages .the flat surface of the bracket 26 and positions theplunger normally flush withthe top of the table 2. A cam 28 secured by abracket 29 to the main frame of the machine lies in the path of travelof the plunger 25-and causes it to rise vertically. The plunger contactswith the end of the applica-i tor rod R which has been inserted in theholding bracket II and raises the rod and spaces it a predetermineddistance from the surface of the table 2. The distance is fixed sothatonly the tip of the rod R will come into contact with the gas flamesupplied by the burner 22 through the opening 24 in the table. It willbe noted from examination of the right hand portion of Figure 2 that theglass rods are in horizontal position when the heat is applied. In orderto rotate the rods from the vertical position (illustrated in Figure 5)through 90 degrees to the heating position (illustrated in Figure 2) thecam I3 is provided. This cam is secured to the stationary shaft 5 andthe table 2 rotates about the cam; the followers l2 following thesurface of the cam. When the followers l2 are in the positionillustrated in Figure 5, they travel under the portion 30 of the cambeing urged into that position by the counterweight l5. When thefollowers engage the shoulders 3| of the cam, however, they are causedto rotate through a 90 degree angle, thereby raising the counterweightl5 which urges the fiat surface of the follower I2 into contact with thesurface 32 of the cam and the rods are held in horizontal position asillustrated in the right hand portion of Figure 2. When the machine isset into operation; the followers l2 are adjusted with respect to theshaft 8 so that the rods R are in horizontal position when the fiatsurface of the follower is in contact with the surface 32 of the cam.

The bottle closures 33 which are provided with a well 34 adapted toreceive the rods R are positloned on the table by means of a positioningplate 35 which is secured to the table 2iby means of a screw 38 passingthrough a slot 31 provided in the positioning plate. This plate isprovided with a cut-out'portion adapted to receive the closure andposition it with respect to the rod holding bracket II in order that therods R may.

be inserted into the center of the well. The holding plate 35 may bereadily adjusted by loosening the screw 36 whereby the plate 35 may bepivoted around the screw or may be adjusted 60 rcircumferentially bymovement in the slot 31.

The heat is applied to the end of the rod R as the table continues torotate. After the tipof the rod has been brought to the fusion point therod is returned to the vertical position and forced into the well of thecap. This is eifected by means of arms 38 which are adjustably securedto the brackets 39 and are guided in ways 40.

Each arm is provided with a weight 4| secured by means of a wire 42 tothe arm .38. A roller 43 is secured by means of a'screw 44 to the outerend of each arm. The roller 43 rides upon the track being inserted. Thetrack 45 and arms 33 are so adjusted that suflicient pressure is appliedto the end of the rod R to properly position the rod in the well and toeffect union between the rod and the closure.

When the cam follower reaches the edge 46 of the cam I3 thecounterweight [5 causes the rod 8 to rotate through a; 90 degree anglewhereby the rods are held in substantially vertical position. Adjustingscrews 41 are provided which contact with the counterweight I5 and areso positioned that when the counterweights are in contact therewith therods R are held in vertical position. As mentioned above the rods arenow fused at their tip and are ready for insertion into the wellprovided in the closure. The cam l3 and the track 45 arecircumferentially adjustable and are set so that immediately the camfollower returns the fused rod to the vertical position the roller 43descends. from the surface 48 of the track 45 toward or onto the surface43. This causes the arm 38 to contact with the end of the rod R and tothe portion 49. This is provided so that the fusedrods will be thrustquickly into the molded closures and will not have an opportunity tocool until they are in place. Also, if the well in the closure and therod were not in perfect alignment and the rod were inserted slowly intoplace, the wall of the well might be burned through. When rapidinsertion is had, however, the rod tends to properly position itself ,inthe well and will move slightly inaccurately positioned closures intoproper alignment. The fused end of the rod being relatively soft iscaused to flow or upset by the continued pressure, filling the well ofthe closure and in some instances slightly scorching or burning theinner surface whereby an irregular suractual contact with the track 45,whereby the entire weight is taken by the rod and the rod is firmlypositionedin the closure until it hardens. It is advisable that, onlythe tip of the rod be heated as otherwise the portion of the rod abovethe well will be bent or otherwise deformed upon application of pressureby the arm 38 forcing the rod into the well. The pressure is continueduntil the rods have had an opportunity to set or harden, which settingor hardening may be substantially instantaneous upon upsetting. Therollers are then raised on the track 45 and the completed closure withthe rod inserted therein is removed from the machine. The removal of thecompleted closure is effected by means of a pair of resilient fingers 50(Figures 1 and 6) which engage the completed closure as it travels onthe table 2. The fingers are so positioned that they engage a portion ofthe rod as well as the cap proper and move them away from the holdingbracket into a chute 5|. The removing fingers are adjustably secured toa bracket 52 by means of a screw 53 passing through a slot 54 providedin the fi ngersh The bracket '52 is secured to the frame of the machine.

In my preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 1, l; have provided apressure disk 55 retatably-secured to a plate 56. This disk is providedto force the closures into' contact with the positioning plate 35 whichis preferably contoured to fit the closure in order to assure accuratepositioning. A spring 51 is provided which yieldingly urges the rollerinto contact with the ing the closures and rods to the machine. It hasbeen found,however, that a single operator may conveniently inserttherods and closures while my machine is operating at a relatively highspeed. The rods are first inserted and after positioning thereof hasbeen effected, the closures are fed to the machine.

I have described and illustrated my invention I using a moulded closureand a glass applicator rod and certain synthetic resin composition rods,and

the like.

While I have described certain preferred embodiments-of my invention, itwill be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied andpracticed within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for applying a fusible applicator to a closure, holdingmeans for the fusible applicator, heating means effective for softeningthe fusible applicator, means positioning a closure with respect to saidholding means, and means effecting relative movement between saidapplicator and said closure to effect union therebetween subsequent tothe application of heat to said applicator.

2. In a machine for applying fusible applicators to closures, closurepositioning means, applicator holdingmeans, heating means effective forsoftening arr-applicator, said holding means being rotatable to "exposethe end of said applicator to heat from said heating means and rotatableto position "said applicator in cooperative relationship with saidclosure positioning means and means effective for moving said applicatorin the applicator holding means into the closure. 3. In a machine forapplying fusible applicators to closures, rotatable closure holdingmeans, ap-,

plicator holding means rotatable with said closure holding means andmoveable with respect thereto, heating means effective for applying heatto an applicator in said applicator holding means during a portion of arevolution thereof to effect softening of the applicator, and stationarymeans effective for rotating said applicator holding means with respectto said closure holding means.

4. In a machine for applying fusible applicators to closures, holding.means for the applicator,

heating means effective for softening tlirfi l ble applicator, meanspositioninga .closure with respect to said holding means, pressure meansurging said applicator into said closure and means for controlling saidpressure means.

5. In a machine for applying fusible applicators to closures, holdingmeans for the applicator,

plication of pressure.

controlling means being circumferentially adjustable.

6. In a machine for applying fusible applicators to closures, holdingmeans for the applicator, heating means effective for softening thefusible applicator, means positioning a closure with respect to saidholding means, pressure means urging said applicator into said closureand means for controlling said pressure means, said controlling meansbeing adjustable vertically where- -by applicators of various lengthsmay be operated upon.

'I. In a machine for applying fusible applicators to closures, rotatableclosure holding means, applicator holding means movable with saidclosure holding means and rotatable with respect to said closure holdingmeans, heating means effective for applying heat to an applicator insaid holding means during a portion of a revolution of said closureholding means to effect softening of the applicator, pressure meansurging said applicator into said closure and'stationary means effectivefor rotating said applicator holding means with respect to said closureholding means and controlling said pressure means.

8. In a machine for applying a fusible applicator to a closure, holdingmeans for the fusible applicator, means for positioning said applicatorin. said holding means, heating means effectivefor softening the tip ofsaid fusible applicator and means for urging said. applicator into aclosure spaced in cooperative relationship therewith.

9. In a machine for applying a fusible applicator to a closure, closurepositioning means, means ing said applicator in said holding means,means associated with said holding means effective for moving saidapplicator into the path of a heating flame and effective for movingsaid applicator away from said flame and into cooperative relationshipwith said closure and means effecting relative movement between saidapplicator and said closure to effect union therebetween subsequent tothe application of heat to said applicator.

10. In a machine for inserting a fusible applicator into a closure,closure positioning means, reciprocable pressure applying meanssuperposed to said positioning means, applicator holding vmeansinterposed between said pressure means and said positioning means andmeans for im- '50 parting reciprocating motion to said pressure means. I

v 11. A machine for applying a fusible applicator to a closurecomprising a rotatable support, closure positioning means, applicatorholding means and pressure applying means secured to said support, saidapplicator holding means being interposed between said positioning andsaid pressure means, stationary control means for said pressure meansabout which said support rotates, said control means being effective forcausing relative movement between said pressure means and said support.

- 12 In a machine for applying a fusible applicator to a closure, meansfor slidably holding an applicator, reciprocable pressure applying meanssuperposed to said holding means, closure sup- 13. A machine forapplying a fusible applicator to a closure comprising heating means,means for slidably holding an applicator, reciprocating pressureapplying means,- closure supporting means in cooperative relationshipwith said applicator holding means, control means for said holding meanseffective for moving said holding means toward and away from saidheating means and control means for said pressure means effective forcausing relative movement between said pressure means and saidsupporting means after said holding means has moved away from saidheating means to urge said applicator into engagement with said closure.

14. A machine for applying a fusible member to a closure comprisingholding means for said fusible member, means positioning a closure toreceive said member with respect to said holding means, heating meanseffective for softening the fusible member, means for causing relativemovement between said heating means and said holding means to positionthe fusible member in the zone'of the heating means and means foreffecting relative movement between the fusible member in said holdingmeans and said closure.

15. Amachine for applying fusible members to closures comprising arotatable support, a'plurality of holders for fusible members on thesupport, closure positioning means on the support in cooperativerelationship with the holders, pressure applying means for urging afusible member into engagement with a closure on the support, heatingmeans effective for softening the fusible member, a stationary controlfor theholders adapted to move the'fusible members into and out of thezone of the heating means upon rotation of the support, and a controlfor the pressure applying means, one of said controls being adjustablewith respect to the other whereby the application of pressure may becontrolled with respect to the removal of the members from the heatingzone.

16. A machine for, applying fusible members to closures comprising aholder for a fusible member, heating means for softening a portion ofthe fusible member, a support for a closure, and means for effectingrelative movement between the fusiblemember and the closure to effectunion therebetween subsequent to the application of heat to said fusiblemember.

17. A machine for applying fusible members to closures comprising aholder for a fusible mem- .ber, heating means for softening a portion ofthe fusible member, means for moving the holder toward and awa from thezone of the heating means to place the fusible member in the heatingzone and remove it therefrom, a support for a closure and means forurging the fusible member into the closure to upset the fused portionthereof.

18. In a machine for applying a fusible appli for urging the softenedtip of said applicator into a closure on the support.

DANIEL S. HOL'I.

